Maria Pythias B. Espino, PhD
Analytical Chemistry
Professor
Email: mbespino@up.edu.ph
Office Room and Phone No.: T335, Local 3659
Lab Room and Phone No.: R203-204, Local 3679
Research Laboratory: Water Research and Management Center (WRMC)
Education & Background
| Undergraduate | BS Agricultural Chemistry, UP Los Baños |
| Graduate | MS Chemistry, UP Diliman PhD Chemistry, Ateneo de Manila University |
| Postdoctoral & Visiting Scholar Fellowships | Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, December 2016 to March 2017 Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, Australia, July-November 2015 Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto, Japan, June-December 2013 Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, USA, November 2012 to March 2013 Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria, April-July 2007 Department of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan, April 2003 to September 2004 Chemistry Department, Danish Hydraulics Institute-Water and Environment, Denmark, April-September 2001 |
Teaching
| Chem 26: Introduction to Quantitative Chemistry |
| Chem 28: Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry |
| Chem 220: Instrumental Methods of Analysis |
| Chem 224: Aquatic Chemistry |
| Chem 226: Analytical Separation Methods |
| Chem 329: Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry |
| Chem 1: Chemistry: Science that Matters (GE course) |
Research
Research Focus
Environmental Analytical Chemistry
The research interests of the Water Research and Management Center are as follows: management and conservation of lakes and river systems; emerging water contaminants of concern; antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance in the environment; fate and transformations of persistent organic contaminants; disinfection by-products in treated water; oxidative degradation of pharmaceuticals; nitrosamines in surface waters; and flame retardants in indoor environments.
Ongoing Projects
Project AMR: Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Propagating AMR in Soil
Main Objective: To provide scientific data and knowledge on antibiotic residues and resistant bacteria in soil that may contribute to AMR proliferation in the local environment and to develop policy recommendations on prevention of AMR proliferation in soil.
Project POST-ECDS: Post-wastewater Treatment Determination of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds for Interventions
Main Objective: To determine the occurrence, levels, and variations of endocrine disrupting compounds in waterways and river systems that reach aquatic systems
Project INLakes: Evaluating Dynamic Internal Loading of Nutrients in Lake Sediment for Recovery of Lakes from Eutrophication
Main Objective: To determine nutrient dynamics in lake systems based on internal nutrient loading from sediment that contribute to the eutrophication of lakes in the Philippines
Selected Publications
(1) K.M. Sta. Ana, K.C. Galera, M.P. Espino. Contamination of Bisphenol A, Nonylphenol, Octylphenol, and Estrone in Major Rivers of Mega Manila, Philippines. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2024, 43 (2), 259-266. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5778
(2) E.J. Escober, M.P. Espino, A new trophic state index for assessing eutrophication of Laguna de Bay, Philippines, Environmental Advances 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2023.100410
(3) K.M. Sta. Ana, J. Madriaga, M.P. Espino. β-Lactam antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in Asian lakes and rivers: An overview of contamination, sources and detection methods. Environmental Pollution 2021, 116624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116624
(4) Sacdal, R., M.P. Montano, M.P. Espino. Heavy metals in surface waters of Laguna de Bay, Philippines: current levels and trends. Limnology 2021, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10201-021-00667-x
(5) K.M. Sta. Ana, M.P. Espino. Occurrence and distribution of hormones and bisphenol A in Laguna Lake, Philippines. Chemosphere 2020, 127122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127122